The lack of a bridge has made life miserable for people of 10 villages under Baishari union of Naikkhangchhari in Bandarban.
Baishari, which is a densely populated area, is known for its rubber industry, with rubber plantations stretching hundreds of acres of land. The Bakkhali-Baishari road in the area was built nearly fifteen years ago but there is no bridge over a canal lying at the halfway point of it, leading to difficulties. The absence of a bridge prevents vehicles from crossing the canal which has left the area almost isolated.
Apart from the inhabitants of the 10 villages, the 14km road is regularly used by hundreds of rubber workers. Because no vehicle runs on the road, the workers are forced to shoulder different rubber materials and walk 14 kilometres to reach at the other end of it.
Md Mozaher Mia, a local farmer, said sufferings of people increase during the monsoon season because of problems such as water logging.
Upazila parishad member Azizul Haque said all the problems could be solved by building a bridge on the canal.
Many locals and indigenous people, including the inhabitants of nearby hills, have to walk their way to Baishari Bazar to buy goods and other basic commodities. It has become increasingly difficult for them to collect fruits grown in the hills, home.
Local indigenous leader Newhla Mang Marma said because there is no bridge on the canal, agricultural goods and food grains perish much before those are brought to the market.
The farmers are thus being deprived of fair prices of their harvest, he said.
Locals have called on Bandarban district administration and Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board to build a bridge on the canal.
The poor transport system has been said to be preventing Baishari from flourishing despite having a good economic potential.
